Ep 2. Gloria Killian: Ride to the Rescue

In Death Row Stories season 1 episode 2, titled "Gloria Killian: Ride to the Rescue," viewers are taken on a harrowing journey through the life and trial of Gloria Killian, a woman convicted of murder and sentenced to death row in California.

The episode begins with a glimpse into Gloria's life prior to her arrest and subsequent conviction. Growing up in a middle-class family, Gloria was a bright, ambitious young woman who thrived in school and dreamed of becoming a lawyer. However, her life took a tragic turn when she was raped at gunpoint while studying abroad in Europe. Though she eventually returned to the United States and tried to move on from the trauma, she struggled with PTSD and addiction, eventually leading her down a path of petty crime.

It was during one of these petty crimes that Gloria's life took a drastic turn. While breaking into a house, she claims she was caught and beaten by the homeowner, a wealthy woman named Peggy Lee Caffee. Gloria was later accused of murdering Caffee, and was sent to death row.

The episode explores the flaws in Gloria's trial, including the lack of physical evidence connecting her to the crime and the fact that her own lawyer failed to call witnesses who could have provided an alibi. Additionally, the episode delves into the biases and assumptions made by the jurors, as well as the questionable motivations of the prosecutor.

Despite mounting evidence that Gloria was innocent, including the confession of another woman who claimed to have committed the crime, it took years of legal battles and advocacy from a team of devoted attorneys, including a former football star named Jim Brown, to finally secure her release from prison.

Throughout the episode, viewers are given a firsthand look at the trauma and difficulties faced by those on death row, including the mental toll of being forced to live with the constant threat of execution and the struggle to maintain hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Ultimately, "Gloria Killian: Ride to the Rescue" is a powerful and emotional exploration of the flaws in America's justice system, as well as the resilience and determination of those who fight for justice, even in the face of seemingly impossible odds.